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CHEM 548

Solid-State/Materials Chemistry

(Spring 2015 @ Duke University)

Course Description: This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of materials science, as well as modern topics in the literature. Topics that will be covered include: bonding, crystal structure, defects, diffusion, phases, as well as the electrical, thermal, optical, magnetic, and chemical properties of metals, ceramics, and nanomaterials. In addition to covering how atomic bonding and crystal structure impact the properties of bulk solids, consideration will also be given to the impact of quantization effects on nanomaterial properties. The last section of the course will focus on fabrication and characterization techniques for thin films, enabling students to understand how material synthesis is linked to resulting material structure, which in turn leads to certain material properties. Weekly lectures will be supplemented by class discussion/activities and presentations.